Household Medical Waste Information

Home Generated Medical Waste Disposal

Used syringes generated by households, such as by diabetics, are to be disposed through a special medical waste program provided by the local garbage haulers. They are not to be disposed of at the drop-off locations for found syringes.

At your request, your garbage hauler (member of the Mid-Valley Garbage and Recycling Association) will supply and deliver a red sharps container to your home for a fee. The container is a rigid, puncture-proof box made especially for this purpose. Once the container is full, simply contact your hauler again, and they will pick it up and deliver a new, empty container.

Remember, improper disposal of these items can create a public health and safety hazard. Not disposing of them correctly can also mean a potential fine of up to $500. Therefore, if you need this service, please contact your local garbage hauler.

Medical waste generated by health care facilities and the public in Marion County is collected and taken to the Marion County Waste-to-Energy Facility (WTEF) for disposal. Approximately 700 tons of in-county medical waste was processed at the WTEF in 2011. Our disposal system can effectively handle these materials, with destruction of these wastes, along with any bacteria and diseases, through incineration at 1800° to 2200° F, in the WTEF.

Additionally, about 1,200 tons of out-of-county medical waste a year is processed at the WTEF (2011). This is provided as a service to other jurisdictions in order to give them a safe disposal option for their medical waste. Out-of-county medical waste is charged a greater fee than that charged to in-county generators. The revenue raised from accepting this out-of-county material is accounted for separately, and is earmarked for waste reduction, recycling, and composting projects, such as the Master Recycler Program and the County's Waste Reduction Grants.